OT: Large solar rebates on new construction

[permabear]

Thought I’d share this since I’m aware of a few Piggs building new homes.

I’ve learned that the rebates for Solar on new construction vs. remodel/retrofit are vastly better:

Remodel: $0.30 per kw
New construction: $2.50 per kw

The bottom line is that CA and Federal credits pay for almost 50% of the cost of a solar system on a new home. This is compared to 6% for retrofit. The breakeven shrinks to 5-7 years, based on system size.

But, you have to do it during construction. If you move in and install the panels a month later, it’s a remodel/retrofit, and you get the lower credits.

[UCGal]

It has the added advantage of going onto a new roof. That’s one of the reasons we haven’t done it… our roof is 15 years old… we’d have to pull the panels in 10-15 years when we redo the roof.

Someone posted that the lifespan of panels was 15 years… everything I’ve read they’re warrantied for 20 years and most last longer than 30 years. So you want to put it on a new roof or you have the hassle/expense of pulling them off when you need to do roof maintenance.

[UCGal]

It has the added advantage of going onto a new roof. That’s one of the reasons we haven’t done it… our roof is 15 years old… we’d have to pull the panels in 10-15 years when we redo the roof.

Someone posted that the lifespan of panels was 15 years… everything I’ve read they’re warrantied for 20 years and most last longer than 30 years. So you want to put it on a new roof or you have the hassle/expense of pulling them off when you need to do roof maintenance.

[UCGal]

It has the added advantage of going onto a new roof. That’s one of the reasons we haven’t done it… our roof is 15 years old… we’d have to pull the panels in 10-15 years when we redo the roof.

Someone posted that the lifespan of panels was 15 years… everything I’ve read they’re warrantied for 20 years and most last longer than 30 years. So you want to put it on a new roof or you have the hassle/expense of pulling them off when you need to do roof maintenance.

[UCGal]

It has the added advantage of going onto a new roof. That’s one of the reasons we haven’t done it… our roof is 15 years old… we’d have to pull the panels in 10-15 years when we redo the roof.

Someone posted that the lifespan of panels was 15 years… everything I’ve read they’re warrantied for 20 years and most last longer than 30 years. So you want to put it on a new roof or you have the hassle/expense of pulling them off when you need to do roof maintenance.

[UCGal]

It has the added advantage of going onto a new roof. That’s one of the reasons we haven’t done it… our roof is 15 years old… we’d have to pull the panels in 10-15 years when we redo the roof.

Someone posted that the lifespan of panels was 15 years… everything I’ve read they’re warrantied for 20 years and most last longer than 30 years. So you want to put it on a new roof or you have the hassle/expense of pulling them off when you need to do roof maintenance.

[faterikcartman]

Fantastic info and thank you. The area we’re trying to close in has many gigantic PV arrays and we hope to build one that will supply 100% of our electric usage. And, as you say, scaling things up should still give a 5-7 year payoff. Splendid!

[faterikcartman]

Fantastic info and thank you. The area we’re trying to close in has many gigantic PV arrays and we hope to build one that will supply 100% of our electric usage. And, as you say, scaling things up should still give a 5-7 year payoff. Splendid!

[faterikcartman]

Fantastic info and thank you. The area we’re trying to close in has many gigantic PV arrays and we hope to build one that will supply 100% of our electric usage. And, as you say, scaling things up should still give a 5-7 year payoff. Splendid!

[faterikcartman]

Fantastic info and thank you. The area we’re trying to close in has many gigantic PV arrays and we hope to build one that will supply 100% of our electric usage. And, as you say, scaling things up should still give a 5-7 year payoff. Splendid!

[faterikcartman]

Fantastic info and thank you. The area we’re trying to close in has many gigantic PV arrays and we hope to build one that will supply 100% of our electric usage. And, as you say, scaling things up should still give a 5-7 year payoff. Splendid!

[faterikcartman]

[quote=UCGal]It has the added advantage of going onto a new roof. That’s one of the reasons we haven’t done it… our roof is 15 years old… we’d have to pull the panels in 10-15 years when we redo the roof.

Someone posted that the lifespan of panels was 15 years… everything I’ve read they’re warrantied for 20 years and most last longer than 30 years. So you want to put it on a new roof or you have the hassle/expense of pulling them off when you need to do roof maintenance.[/quote]

We have gone out of our way — and it has not been easy — to look for properties that would allow a huge system to be off the roof entirely without impacting landscaping. Obviously south-facing hillsides are helpful 😉

[faterikcartman]

[quote=UCGal]It has the added advantage of going onto a new roof. That’s one of the reasons we haven’t done it… our roof is 15 years old… we’d have to pull the panels in 10-15 years when we redo the roof.

Someone posted that the lifespan of panels was 15 years… everything I’ve read they’re warrantied for 20 years and most last longer than 30 years. So you want to put it on a new roof or you have the hassle/expense of pulling them off when you need to do roof maintenance.[/quote]

We have gone out of our way — and it has not been easy — to look for properties that would allow a huge system to be off the roof entirely without impacting landscaping. Obviously south-facing hillsides are helpful 😉

[faterikcartman]

[quote=UCGal]It has the added advantage of going onto a new roof. That’s one of the reasons we haven’t done it… our roof is 15 years old… we’d have to pull the panels in 10-15 years when we redo the roof.

Someone posted that the lifespan of panels was 15 years… everything I’ve read they’re warrantied for 20 years and most last longer than 30 years. So you want to put it on a new roof or you have the hassle/expense of pulling them off when you need to do roof maintenance.[/quote]

We have gone out of our way — and it has not been easy — to look for properties that would allow a huge system to be off the roof entirely without impacting landscaping. Obviously south-facing hillsides are helpful 😉

[faterikcartman]

[quote=UCGal]It has the added advantage of going onto a new roof. That’s one of the reasons we haven’t done it… our roof is 15 years old… we’d have to pull the panels in 10-15 years when we redo the roof.

Someone posted that the lifespan of panels was 15 years… everything I’ve read they’re warrantied for 20 years and most last longer than 30 years. So you want to put it on a new roof or you have the hassle/expense of pulling them off when you need to do roof maintenance.[/quote]

We have gone out of our way — and it has not been easy — to look for properties that would allow a huge system to be off the roof entirely without impacting landscaping. Obviously south-facing hillsides are helpful 😉

[Author]

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